Antique Diebold safe

I came here after a quick Google search and it seems as though there are some pretty knowledgeable people are here that might be able to help me out. Anyways, my parents bought a building on the square here in shelbyville, Indiana back in the 80's. in the back they had a diebold safe. its got 4 doors, 2 outer and 2 inner. it measures 27"x36" and stands about 30" tall. it does have casters on it. all the doors are unlocked and open except the right outer door. The handle is broken off the door as well. It also seems that the lock isn't operating correctly but i might be wrong. It spins freely but seems to have a lot of "slop" in it. Because of that we haven't been able to get into the safe or see whats in there. I'm assuming there isn't much if anything at all but it would still be cool to know for sure. Can anyone tell me more about this safe? What its worth, if its worth fixing/restoring, or if we can get into it without destroying it. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.

Attachment 11434 Attachment 11431 Attachment 11432 Attachment 11433

I'm confused - - - how can you tell that all the doors are unlocked if the right outside door is locked ???

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Originally Posted by Rog

I'm confused - - - how can you tell that all the doors are unlocked if the right outside door is locked ???

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Both inside doors move just slightly. You can get a very small gap between the 2. I've looked inside with an older bore scope but was unable to see anything. Wasn't able to get a good look at the shelves inside on the left though.

Okay, that makes sense now...

How much distance between the inner panel of the right outside door and the front of the right inner door ??
(probably not much I'd guess)

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Originally Posted by Rog

Okay, that makes sense now...

How much distance between the inner panel of the right outside door and the front of the right inner door ??
(probably not much I'd guess)

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Maybe 2 inches. Probably less. Any idea how much a save this size weighs? Its up 2 flights of stairs in a very old building and I want to move it to my house.

I'd give a rough guess of 600-800#'s

I was curious if there was enough room between the two doors to perhaps get the inner panel off the right side door.
From there you might be able to remove the combination lock - - - mind you the key word here is "might".....

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Originally Posted by Rog

I'd give a rough guess of 600-800#'s

I was curious if there was enough room between the two doors to perhaps get the inner panel off the right side door.
From there you might be able to remove the combination lock - - - mind you the key word here is "might".....

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it feels like a tank lol. I'll have to take a look in between the doors to get a better idea. But I would have no idea where to begin in removing the lock if i were able to get to it.

it is a real stab in the dark
but
the inner pane of the outside door should probably have a screw in each corner
if you could some how remove them and then slide the panel out
you might then be able to remove the lock...

on another note ---
do you have trouble typing in this forum
not sure why
but it's damn near impossible to string to letters together
without waiting seconds between each key stroke ! ! !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rog

it is a real stab in the dark
but
the inner pane of the outside door should probably have a screw in each corner
if you could some how remove them and then slide the panel out
you might then be able to remove the lock...

on another note ---
do you have trouble typing in this forum
not sure why
but it's damn near impossible to string to letters together
without waiting seconds between each key stroke ! ! !

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well i will have to take a look at it and report back.

and no problems with typing on here.

if you would
send me any photos you have direct
michelesangel@yahoo.com
or any others you can get of the inner areas
Rog

According to my notes, Diebold & Kienzle dates back to 1870. I'm not sure when the partnership ended but it was no later than around 1876 or so.

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Originally Posted by wylk

According to my notes, Diebold & Kienzle dates back to 1870. I'm not sure when the partnership ended but it was no later than around 1876 or so.

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thats pretty cool. so my next question. is it worth anything considering the missing handle and no combination?

S13envy, fascinating thread and following with interest, we would all love to see any further photos so do post here so that we can all see them.

Rog, probably you are using an older browser or Internet Explorer. Use Firefox and you will never have problems. Both Antique-locks.com and Firefox adhere strictly to www conventions, many browsers do not!

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Originally Posted by Brian Morland

S13envy, fascinating thread and following with interest, we would all love to see any further photos so do post here so that we can all see them.

Rog, probably you are using an older browser or Internet Explorer. Use Firefox and you will never have problems. Both Antique-locks.com and Firefox adhere strictly to www conventions, many browsers do not!

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I will try and get more detailed pics soon and will definitely post them.

Hello, Just wanted to give you my idea of your safes weight. I think you will find that it is much closer to 2,000 pounds. There is a back cover on the right hand door blocking access to the lock. The issue really is that there is approx. 2" of fire brick attached to it, making removal quite hard. Take a steel punch and small 3 pound sledge hammer and try to push the middle bolt back into the door. The lock just might be unlocked, or broken off completely. Don't "attack" the thing, but give it a good hit, if the bolt moves, keep striking it until it has moved in 1 1/2 inches. I'll try to find photos of your safe bolt work and post them. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yankee

Hello, Just wanted to give you my idea of your safes weight. I think you will find that it is much closer to 2,000 pounds. There is a back cover on the right hand door blocking access to the lock. The issue really is that there is approx. 2" of fire brick attached to it, making removal quite hard. Take a steel punch and small 3 pound sledge hammer and try to push the middle bolt back into the door. The lock just might be unlocked, or broken off completely. Don't "attack" the thing, but give it a good hit, if the bolt moves, keep striking it until it has moved in 1 1/2 inches. I'll try to find photos of your safe bolt work and post them. Good luck, and keep us posted.

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you talking about this? sorry, im not up to par on my safe terminology.

Attachment 11435

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Originally Posted by Brian Morland

S13envy, fascinating thread and following with interest, we would all love to see any further photos so do post here so that we can all see them.

Rog, probably you are using an older browser or Internet Explorer. Use Firefox and you will never have problems. Both Antique-locks.com and Firefox adhere strictly to www conventions, many browsers do not!

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Thanks -
I just checked and I'm using IE version 11.0.9600.16521
which shows as the most recent update
don' have this issue on other forums...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yankee

Hello, Just wanted to give you my idea of your safes weight. I think you will find that it is much closer to 2,000 pounds. There is a back cover on the right hand door blocking access to the lock. The issue really is that there is approx. 2" of fire brick attached to it, making removal quite hard. Take a steel punch and small 3 pound sledge hammer and try to push the middle bolt back into the door. The lock just might be unlocked, or broken off completely. Don't "attack" the thing, but give it a good hit, if the bolt moves, keep striking it until it has moved in 1 1/2 inches. I'll try to find photos of your safe bolt work and post them. Good luck, and keep us posted.

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nevermind. you're probably talking about this bolts that slide into the outer edge of the safe that actually lock the doors shut right? guess it wouldn't make any sense to hit the broked handle.

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Originally Posted by s13envy

nevermind. you're probably talking about this bolts that slide into the outer edge of the safe that actually lock the doors shut right? guess it wouldn't make any sense to hit the broked handle.

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Correct. It might be possible that the lock is unlocked but that the bolts have moved enough to keep the door from opening. In that case, some firm persuasion on the ones that interlock with the other door, which should be entirely exposed on the left side of the locked door, might get them all to retract again. On the other hand I believe it's possible to fully lock the right-hand door with the left-hand door open, i.e. operator error. But it's worth a try.

While there may not be much room to work with, it might also be possible to get at the lock's back via the open door and work from there, but it wasn't designed that way of course. Good light, a mirror, possibly a camera that can take photos very close up, would be helpful.

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Originally Posted by wylk

Correct. It might be possible that the lock is unlocked but that the bolts have moved enough to keep the door from opening. In that case, some firm persuasion on the ones that interlock with the other door, which should be entirely exposed on the left side of the locked door, might get them all to retract again. On the other hand I believe it's possible to fully lock the right-hand door with the left-hand door open, i.e. operator error. But it's worth a try.

While there may not be much room to work with, it might also be possible to get at the lock's back via the open door and work from there, but it wasn't designed that way of course. Good light, a mirror, possibly a camera that can take photos very close up, would be helpful.

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I will definitely try hitting the bolts back in first. Ive got a good solid lead punch I can use to keep from damaging anything. If that doesn't work ill see what I can get to from the back side.

I appreciate all the help with this so far but id also really love to get an idea of what the safe itself could be worth. Current condition vs restored. I like the idea of getting the safe restored but no idea if it's worth it or not.

No luck with hitting the bolts. The middle and top one feels solid but the bottom seems to have a lot of play in it. It looks as though the cover to the lock has been damaged or removed previously. Looks like a large chuck of concrete is falling out from behind the door. I have lots of pics to share. I also put my phone inside with the light and camera on and found what appears to be another lock box .

So I think if I were to cut the handle off the inside door on the right it would give me enough space to open the other door which would give me access to the inside of this safe. Is that a bad idea? What are these handles typically made of?

here are some more pics of the safe. this lock box inside the safe really has me intrigued.

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...usuml9eq-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...kvhqkt82-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...ievn3uli-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...nkd6fgjo-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...uhblisjx-1.jpg

more pics and vids coming in a few minutes

herre are some more pics...

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...h4ludzmh-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...tsswgcdh-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...tl3vdzmd-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...kztbxkj5-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...ubztxuxk-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...l3va6ayf-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...1podlyrv-1.jpg


And here is a video i took with my phone of the inside of the safe:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/s13e...44nps.mp4.html

well my anxiety got the best of me and decided i would try and cut the handle off the inner door in hopes that it would open far enough to release the other inner door. got my sawzal out and quickly cut through the brass handle (not sure if that was a bad idea or not yet. hopefully not). and viola, the safe door opened. after 30 some years of wondering whats inside, it took a matter of seconds to get it open. inside i found this

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...7d7fv3tt-1.jpg

http://www.antique-locks.com/images/...ovdq9uxc-1.jpg

I picked up up and shook it around to see if anything was inside. i hear something light but solid moving around. of course by now I'm real excited to know whats in there. i took a flat head screw driver and hit the lock in from the side of the box, open the door and found a loose wooden divider moving around inside :( I kind of figured that there was nothing in there but i was obviously hoping for something. Anything at all would have been cool to find, even if it didn't have any value. Oh well I guess. At least I got it open and there is no more wondering.

I'd still like to know a rough value of the safe as is and if there is any value in restoring it.

Thanks for everyone's help here so far

Well now, let's see the end results photo's!

Not sure damaging that mini-vault was a good idea as these tend to have a demand...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rog

Well now, let's see the end results photo's!

Not sure damaging that mini-vault was a good idea as these tend to have a demand...

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That lock box got me so excited I didn't bother taking pics of the inside lol. Ill get some soon though. I don't know if id say I damaged the lock box. I just pushed the lock lever in from the side of the box. Didn't hit it with a hammer. It went in pretty easily. I couldn't wait any longer to find out what was inside lol.

frustration creeps into all of us now and again...

I've got a small safe that the combo does not want to play anymore,
has me about at wits end . . . I'm thinking it may be time for some C4 and det-cord....

is the right door still locked, lets see a good pic of the broken handle